Tillman Durdin of New York Times has now reported favorably on the developments in Manila contrary to his initial reports. I attach cabled report on his story and other stories.
Since the New York Times is the bell weather of American newspaper sentiment, this should mark the generally favorable reaction to martial law.
This morning at 9:30 I met all the generals at Camp Aguinaldo. I cautioned them against complacency arising out of the euphoria of easy victory; to watch October as it may be the crucial month; that the reform movement and the creation of the New Society is our principal objective but keeping down criminality and prices is the urgent and immediate objective; that it is easier to win a war or a revolution (for no matter how peaceful or constitutional it is, it is a revolution) than it is to run a government; but that I am confident in their capacity to continue the excellent performance.
Increased allowances of enlisted men and pay of officers.
Official Gazette for September 30, 1972: THE PRESIDENT issued Presidential Decree No. 7, prescribing the orderly marketing of livestock and animal products and new regulations on animal feeds.
He likewise issued:
1) General Order No. 7-A, allowing agents of the National Bureau of Investigation to carry firearms outside residence while in the actual performance of official mission or duty, and authorizing guards of the Bureau of Prisons and of provincial and city jails to carry their duly licensed firearms only within the premises of the prison or jail in which they are actually on guard duty, and/or while escorting prisoners therefrom to offices of provincial/city fiscals or to military tribunals or civil courts in compliance with subpoena issued for the purpose, and return.
2) General Order No. 10, authorizing and prescribing increased rates of monthly quarter allowance for enlisted personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines effective October 1, 1972, to enhance and keep at a high level their morale and efficiency in carrying a great share of the grave burden of suppressing the activities of groups of men actively engaged in the criminal conspiracy to seize political and state power in the Philippines, and of eradicating widespread lawlessness, anarchy, disorder and wanton destruction of lives and property.
3) General Order No. 11, authorizing and prescribing increased rates of monthly base pay for commissioned officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, effective October 1, 1972, to enhance and keep at a high level the morale and efficiency of the officers and men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, provided that the increased rates shall not be the basis of retirement gratuity or pension for all military personnel who were retired prior to the effective date of the Order.
4) General Order No. 12, ordering that the military tribunals authorized to be constituted under General Order No. 8, dated September 27, 1972, shall try and decide cases enumerated in the order exclusive of the civil courts, unless otherwise provided.
5) General Order No. 13, calling upon every resident and cities of the Philippines, all universities, colleges and schools and other similar institutions, private as well as public, all commercial and industrial establishments, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, cinemahouses, public markets, transportation companies, and all establishments of any kind, to undertake the cleaning of their own surroundings, their yards and gardens, as well as the canals, roads or streets in their immediate premises.
Decreased the rates of Meralco [Manila Electric Company] to 20.9% from 36%. This is the crying need of the people. I attach the order as well as other orders I signed today.
Antonio Roxas Chua and the other sugar dealers and traders were apprehended for hoarding and profiteering. They were also getting P10 a bag of sugar sold to industrial users.
He has offered to sell all his sugar at controlled prices. So have the others.
I attach his offer through Ralph Nubla whom I authorized to see him.
The Meralco oligarchs are trying to see me. The head of the clan, Eugenio Lopez Sr., has been trying to get me by telephone. Now the son (Junior) has asked to meet with Gov. Kokoy [Benjamin] Romualdez. They sent [Antonio] Tony Ayala. They are also going to use [Roberto] Bobby Benedicto who has arrived.
I am sure it is about the rates.
Now the old man is due to arrive Monday.
I intend to review all power rates throughout the Philippines.